India: Silico manganese export prices inch down w-o-w on weak inquiries, rising inventories

India’s silico manganese export market witnessed a mild downward movement this week reflecting a slowdown in international buying interest. Exporters reported that the absence of bulk inquiries from major overseas buyers has kept sentiment weak.

According to BigMint’s latest assessment on 25 November 2025, India’s silico manganese export prices registered a slight w-o-w decline. The 65-16 grade fell by $9/t to $919/t FOB compared with $928/t FOB on 17 November, while the 60-14 grade prices eased by $7/t to $823/t FOB.

EU import rules hit India’s manganese alloys market: Under the EU’s new safeguard framework, Indian ferro alloys face defined TRQs and mandatory price thresholds anything below which will attract a duty. This has slowed large-volume purchases from Europe as buyers await clarity. With thin inquiries and rising compliance concerns, Indian sellers have eased offers slightly, and market sentiment is likely to remain subdued in the short term.

Decreasing inquiries push export prices down: Export prices continued to inch downward this week as the market faced a persistent lack of bulk inquiries from overseas buyers. Exporters reported muted demand across key destinations, resulting in fewer confirmed bookings. At the same time, rising inventories with smelters due to slower dispatches and steady production have added further pressure on suppliers to negotiate and adjust offers lower.

With limited spot activity and no immediate signs of a demand recovery, export market sentiment remains weak, keeping prices under mild downward pressure in the near term. However, any pickup in overseas buying, particularly pre-Christmas bookings, along with an improvement in domestic steel prices may offer some support and help stabilise export offers.